Simon Mann, SAS Officer Linked to Coup Attempt, Dies at 72

Simon Mann, a former SAS officer educated at Sandhurst and originally from Eaton, has passed away at the age of 72. He was known for leading a failed coup, which involved Margaret Thatcher’s son, aimed at toppling the government in Equatorial Guinea.

In 2004, Mann was arrested in Zimbabwe while commanding a group of 70 mercenaries attempting to overthrow the regime of Theodoro Obian. Both Mann and Mark Thatcher later acknowledged their roles in this plot, commonly referred to as the “Wonga Coup.” Following the revelation of the scheme, Obian made serious threats against Mann and others involved.

Mann spent more than five years in notorious prisons before receiving forgiveness from Obian himself.

Before his involvement in the coup, Mann had a background with the SAS and was involved in establishing several security firms that focused on protecting oil infrastructure.

In March 2004, he and accomplices like Nick du Toit plotted Obian’s removal. Their efforts included financial support from international backers and, reportedly, tacit approval from multiple governments, notably Spain.

The coup attempt allowed Obian to replace exiled opposition members, including Severo Moto. However, plans went awry when their aircraft were intercepted in Harare, leading to their arrest by Zimbabwe’s government. Subsequently, President Robert Mugabe handed them over to Equatorial Guinea, where they faced severe sentences.

While in custody, Mann communicated details about Thatcher’s involvement to his legal team, indicating that Thatcher had even helped to facilitate some aspects of the coup’s planning.

During his trial, Mann referred to connections he had with influential figures like Lebanese oil magnate Ely Khalil, whom he viewed as important in the opposition movement against Obian.

Thatcher was reportedly fined and received a suspended sentence for his involvement, asserting that he had been unwittingly linked to the coup’s operations.

The events surrounding the coup were later portrayed in a television film called “Coup,” which aired in 2006. Following his release, Mann returned to England, where he had three marriages and nine children. Recently, it was reported that he died while exercising at the gym earlier this week.